Sweet Love, Bitter death!

We all fear death. But more fearsome is the absence of our dear ones, writes Mujeeb Jaihoon.

Love is a sweet,
Selfless feel
Before the beloved
His heart kneels

Life is given
Even before request
Into the fire
Ready to jump

‘Your wish is my command’,
Says he with the heart in hand.

‘Anything and everything you say
My soul: in your sweet sway’

But last night
In the love’s chamber
Majnun made to Leila
A strange whisper

“Hey sweet one.
Prior to your death,
I be placed below the earth.
Every Friday shall I wait
For your gift:
The ‘7-versed prayer’
As your hands lift’

I can bear anything
But your parting
Solitude hurts
Even before its starting
May God give you
Much courage,
If I live not,
And you live
In such age”

Death is indeed
Bitter and harsh
Before it, Love too
Becomes selfish

Death makes the love sour
Knocks uninvited on lovers’ door

The heart then thinks
Of none but its own,
Not even the one
To whom love is shown.

He is ready to die first,
But not bear separation first.

Hey reader!
Sweet love, bitter death-
Who dare deny this truth?

10 July 2005. Edit March 2024